In these next 3 sessions, we will learn about the third core value of “Belong” and how we are called to be and bless together. Relationships with other Christians are God’s gift to us. It is in this eternal, Kingdom-minded community where our faith is strengthened, needs can be cared for, and grace can be given and received freely.
“Loving God” We desire to BE God’s satisfied children, love Him, and glorify Him.
“and our neighbors” We desire to BLESS others where we live, work and play.
“Together” We BELONG to a welcoming spiritual family.
Jesus said "Come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest." The church should serve as a sanctuary where everyone is welcome with open arms. By embracing the weary, the church exemplifies the love, compassion, and empathy that Christ exemplified throughout His ministry. A truly welcoming church fosters a sense of belonging and community, strengthening the bonds between its members and igniting a desire to share the message of hope and love with the world.
Discipling Others
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations"
Jesus telling His disciples to make more disciples in Matthew 28:19
8.1 - What does it mean to make disciples?
Helping others Grow in their love for God and their neighbors together. Intentionally helping others know and enjoy Jesus.
8.2 - What were 3+ key events, environments, or relationships that helped you be discipled? Why were they so important to your growth?
8.3 - Describe a time when you discipled someone. What was good about this and what are some growth areas that were revealed?
I recently spent time with Nick weekly, the 2x a month, and now he is in my Discipleship Group. We used the DFD2 book and I enjoyed talking through some key essentials of the faith together. Our relationship was deepened and He seemed to grow in His faith. It revealed to me that I want to make our own essentials discipleship material.
Read these passages below a couple of times and answer the following questions.
Matthew 28:18-19
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2 Timothy 2:2
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
8.4 - What are your initial thoughts as you read these passages?
Jesus is doing the work through us. We need to think about disciplining others as disciple-makers.
8.5 - Jesus and Paul (in 2 Timothy) tell us to "go", "make", "teach", and "entrust". Where does our confidence and motivation come from to pass on the teachings of the Bible?
We need to know that it is the work of God to do the work in us. We know that God has plans to grow us up and send us out. May we allow ourselves to be tools for God.
8.6 - Why do you think Jesus involves us in other's discipleship?
There is joy in being used by God. We have families and friendships and the church. We have a relational God and wants us to be relational people.
Discipleship is the process of growth of someone’s love for God and love for others. There are many environments where this development takes place: church services, church ministry teams, discipleship groups, individual relationships, and one's quiet time. Not only do we personally need to know and love Jesus and His commands but also teach others to know and love Jesus and His commands. And 2 Tim 2:2 encourages us to teach others to teach others.
Jesus tells us in Matt 28:18-20 in the Great Commission:
1) We are commanded to go and make disciples
2) We then need to teach them all of Jesus’ commands
3) Jesus will be with us always
A discipleship relationship involves a mutual commitment between two or more individuals who are dedicated to helping each other grow in their love for God and their neighbors. By investing focused time and energy, they support and guide one another in their daily journey with Jesus, creating an environment of motivation and encouragement. This environment offers a unique and safe space where there is the freedom to be brutally honest, appropriate challenges can be made, failures can be learned from, and victories can be celebrated. For a discipleship relationship to be healthy and fruitful, certain qualities are crucial. Participants must be Faithful in their commitment to the process, Available to invest time and effort, and maintain a Teachable attitude (FAT).
A leader has followers, and it can be challenging to navigate the various responsibilities that come with the role. However, relying on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit can help ease the burden. Taking the time to prepare for weekly meetings and acknowledging the slow process of development can also be helpful in staying grounded. Most importantly, remember to pray for personal wisdom and growth, as well as for the growth of others. There are seven key elements that should be involved in our discipleship relationships.
-from The Disciplemaker’s Handbook
1. Jesus - Perfect Plant (Our Model)
We are not discipling people into a program; we are introducing them to a person. The mission of Jesus was to give himself in love for the sake of others so that people would know Him and His message to others.
2. Relationships -Place (Environment)
Jesus showed us that disciple-making is the development of genuine life-on-life relationships motivated by Jesus-style love. The relationship is the greenhouse that the Holy Spirit often uses for our growth.
3. Intentionality - Plan (Strategy)
Disciple makers know where other people need to go and they have a plan to help them get there. Jesus guided, coached, and developed His disciples into disciple-makers and released them, commissioning them to disciple others as Jesus had discipled them. Their disciple-making work changed the world.
4. Bible - Planting Manual (Book)
The Word of God is the training manual that Jesus relied upon in His ministry and provided for all discipleship and teaching. It is the foundational and most important book.
5. Spirit - Growth Power (Heart Changer)
Jesus’ life and ministry were fueled by the Holy Spirit. After living for thirty years in obscurity, Jesus began formally making disciples after the Spirit descended upon him when he was baptized. From that point forward, he remained in a constant state of openness to the Spirit.
6. Journey - Growth Process (Stages of Discipleship)
Seeker † New Believer → Disciple → Leader
Jesus led His disciples on a journey, inviting them to learn by walking with him and watching him.
7. Multiply - Reproduce (Disciple Makers)
Jesus’ master plan was to make disciples who were like him in their message and their methods and then multiply them by sending them out to disciple others as they had been discipled by him.
10 min - Check in and review challenges from the last meeting
30 min - Study the Bible or Chrisitan Resource (mostly the Bible) OMGMe is great.
10 min - Application to Personal Ministry / BLESS Relationships / Evangelism
10 min - Prayer requests for 2 min and Pray together for the rest of the time
-Keep a notebook (digital or paper) of your meeting, next steps, Bible progress, prayer requests
8.7 - What are a few ways that you can become a better disciple maker?
I need to have a better system of developing people. I would love to disciple someone in the way that they can turn around and disciple others. I need to pray more for the needs of those I am discipling. I also would like to have more definition for the different relationships I have.
8.8 - Make a list of all your discipleship relationships. Choose 1 and what is your plan to help them become a disciple-maker?
I want to help Josh be a disciples-maker in our church. I want to develop him and help him use His gifts for the glory of God.
End Session #8
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